I could have entitled this post “When Your Phone Rings At 11:53pm.” We parents dread those calls because we know the blaring ringing waking us from sleep is quite possibly the cry of a child still learning to adult.

So it was tonight.

Therefore, I thought a more appropriate title was along the lines of “If I Knew Then What I Know Now.”

I’ve picked up on one sure thing since becoming a Christ follower ten years ago: The Bible is full of d**n practical advice – on many good and smart ways to live, especially about children.

Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

This applies not just to spiritual things, but also to responsibly handling money and automobile maintenance. (And I’m not saying that only spiritual people make good caregivers.)

If I have one regret, it’s about how my past unbelief came with a less-than-life-or-death attitude about serious things like raising kids. Let’s just say that back then I had priorities other than careful consideration about what (and how) I was teaching them.

Priorities like the next beer, for example. (And I’m not saying that only non-spiritual people are irresponsible partiers.)

Now, to be fair to myself, I wonder if we all just have to personally experience running out of “f*n gas in the middle of f*n nowhere” early in our driving lives before we learn to properly prepare before any and every event, short or long term.

It’s like the warning about the hot stove. We touch or we trust.

Either way, we begin to think for ourselves, taking into account our elders’ cautions. (I don’t remember my parents stressing the importance of gassing up before I ran out of gas – the first time – but I’m pretty sure they would have mentioned it.)

Maybe what makes us think “I can make it” as we speed past the ‘last station for the next nn miles’ is the same thing that assures us of our youthful immortality. I see that fearlessness in our climbing, running, jumping but-still-a-toddler grandson.

bypassing the stairs

I wonder what it will be that will make him think twice. Then again, I wonder if what makes for superstar success is never letting second thoughts slow us down.

All this just to say I hope that letting him watch Moana so many times will get its message through. After all, life is all about discerning and following your purpose.

God, I learned some important things late in my life. I want to be sure B knows them early in his. I pray that – this time – it’s not my lack of good stewardship that is impactful. I pray for my children, that they would come to know You and be in respectful awe, to live as assured as I am now of Your ability and willingness to bless. IOW, grant them the serenity to accept, the courage to change, and the wisdom to understand the difference.

In Christ’s life-changing name, AMEN

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Marshall at Sharing God's Story (https://SharingGodsStory.net)
I follow Jesus Christ as a worship musician, writer, and speaker. I share God's incredible story in my life, a story of healing from brokenness, addiction, and failed health; a story of miraculous provision for me and my family; a story of studying His Word to find His purpose for me: sharing my time and talent to give a little hope to you...